Strap buckle



Jan. 6, 1942. J. cjcHENl-:TTE 2,268,738

' STRAP BUCKLE Filed March 8, 1940 TTt )RNEY.

Patented Jan. 6, 1942 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE e 2,268,738A vv STRAP BUCKLE y Joseph yC'. Chenette, Flat Bock, Mich. ApplicationMarcn s, 194osr1ia1Na=32a87s n (C1. 2419)l Claims.

This. invention relates to buckles or clamps in general and more particularly concerns a clamp or buckle of the bight type for attachment to opposite ends of a strap member to hold the same in rigid adjusted position.

The use of heavy webbed straps for fastening around stoves, refrigerators, radios and like objects having finished surfaces which must be protected from damage in moving has heretofore generally been accomplished by the use of a conventional buckle for retaining the opposite ends of the strap in as tight relation around the object as possible to prevent slipping thereof in transit. This method is not entirely satisfactory because the article must rst beblanketed to keep the metal portions of the strap buckle from and arranged so that the metal of the clamp never comes in contact with the object which it retains and that may be adjusted to any degree.

of tightness without regard to meeting spaced eyes in the strap or danger of tearing or fraying thereof.

Among the objects of the present invention is the provision of a clamp or buckle means for securing a strap member around an object, which comprises an elongated arm having a hook on one end and a transversely extending elongated eye at the opposite end, in which the wall of the eye nearest the hooked end of the arm is arranged to be stitched or riveted between. a-loop formed on one end of the strap to remove slackness therein in bight fashion; the provision` in a clamp or buckle of the bight type as described above in which the hooked end thereof is operated in lever bar fashion and isdisplaced slightly from the plane of the body of the clamp to afford a biting action against the strap wall against accidental displacement when forced between the looped end thereof; the provision in a strap buckle as above described in which none of the metal thereof is in contact with an article bound thereby.

Another object of this invention .is the provision of a strap buckle having an eye portion stitched in the looped end of a strap` including an integral elongated arm extending from said eye portion terminating in a hooked end, which is adapted to be rotated through 180 and secured under an associated hooked member stitched in said looped end of the strap and remotely spaced from said eye portion of the buckle; the provision in a strap buckle as above described in which the hooked endy thereof has a reverse bend thereinjto prevent accidental disengagement of the buckle from the associated hooked member; the provision in a strap buckle as above described in which slack of the strap may be taken up to any desired degree of tension by an inching or step by step movement of the hooked end thereof koperated in leverbar fashion..

Further and other objects of the invention reside inthe novel combination and arrangement of parts to be hereinafter described, when considered together with the accompanying drawing forming .a part of this specification and pointed out with particularity in the appended claims.

In the drawing' which illustratesl a preferred embodiment of the invention likev reference characters denote like parts throughout the several views, and in which: n

Fig. 1 is an elevational view of one form of a buckleor clamp illustrating and embodying the features of this invention; and' Fig. 2 is an end view of the same, showing the angle in the hooked end thereof; and

Fig. 3'is an elevational view of the buckle sewn in the looped end of a strap; and

Fig. 4 is a similar view showing the opposite end of the strap positioned under the hooked end lever bar of the buckle and threaded through the eyeportion thereof; and

Fig. 5 is anelevation view of a further step inlocking the buckle in closed position; and

Fig. 6 is an elevational view of the buckle fixed in locked position.

Fig. 7 is a sectional side elevational View of the clamp and strap taken substantially on the line 1-1 of Fig. 3.

. Fig. 8 is a perspective view of a buckle member with a slightly modified hooked end lever bar for association with a modified locking means sewn inthe looped end of a strap. y

In thedrawing the numeral lgenerally designates the buckle or clamp member'which has an elongated arm H terminating at one end in a transversely disposed elongated eye I2 defined by inner and outer walls I3 and I4, respectively, and terminating at the opposite end in a hooked lever bar I5. The longitudinallength of the lever bar l5 yis displaced at a slight angle fromthe plane body of the remainder of the buckle or` clamp I0, as shown in Fig. 2J and-is for a purpose to be hereinafter disclosed.

In Fig. 3 a strap 20, which may be of two ply cotton webbing of selected width, or other suitable material, is folded back upon itself to form a loop 2l into which at the outer end is stitched or riveted, as at 22, the inner Wall I3 of the eye I2 of the buckle, in such a manner that the outer wall I4 of the eye of the buckle overlies the strap member in normal position and the hooked lever bar I5 of the buckle is disposed outwardly beyond the end of the strap. The looped end of the strap 2D is also stitched or riveted remotely from said loop 2| farther back along the strap singly at 23 and in spaced relation doubled stitched, as at 24, to dene a pocket or slot 25 between the two thicknesses of material. The stitching 23 defining the slot 25 is not absolutely necessary, but is merely for purposes of illustration, as the stitching 22 and the double stitching 24 adjacent the extreme inner end of the loop denne a somewhat more elongated slot between two thicknesses of material.

Now having reference to Figs. 4, 5, and 6, there is shown progressively the several steps involved in locking the clamp or buckle in adjusted position. In Fig. 4 the opposite free end 26, of the strap 2l), is shown underlying the hooked end lever bar I5 of the buckle, overlying the opposite looped end 2| of the strap and threaded down through the eye I2 of the buckle. In Fig. 5 the lever bar I5 has been rotated through an angle of approximately 180, around the loop 2| as a pivot point, and angularly displaced upwardly so that the lower edge of the lever bar clears the upper marginal edge of the strap in position to be inserted in the pocket or slot formed between the two thicknesses of strap material. Fig. 6 shows the lever bar I5 in locked position with the strap body 20 adjacent the free end 26 thereof twice folded upon itself and tightly fixed against accidental displacement by the walls I3 and I4 of the eye I2 of the buckle.

'I'he use and operation of the buckle or clamp has been substantially described by the above description relative to the steps illustrated in Figs. 4, 5 and 6, but it may be mentioned that since the walls I3 and I4 of the eye are rigid and a fixed distance apart that when the lever bar I5 is rotated through substantially a 180 angle about the looped end 2| of the strap as an axis the wall I4 of the eye I2 serves as a fulcrum to take up slack in the strap, as best shown in Fig. '7. It will be understood that in practice the longitudinal length of the buckle may be disposed in a horizontal or vertical position, or at any angle thereto, according to the conditions of use, and to insure against the hooked end ofuthe lever bar I5 from slipping out of the pocket 25 in the strap the length of the hooked end has been displaced at a small angle, for example 5, outward from the plane body of the buckle so as to bite into the pliable body of the strap forming the outer wall of the slot 25, formed therein, as shown in Figs. 5 and 7. It will be apparent from the foregoing that due to the construction and arrangement of the strap and buckle that no metal of the buckle bears direct against the object which may be secured and consequently any relative friction between the object and the fabric strap means will not mar an enameled or polished surface thereof.

In Fig. 8 there is shown a perspective view of a slightly modified buckle or clamp and in which parts similar to corresponding parts aforementioned are designated by a reference numeral with a subscript. The numeral Illa designates a buckle or clamp substantially similar to clamp I0 having other component parts alike with the addition of a reverse bend I5b in the outer end of the lever bar I5a. The strap 20 is also looped at 2| and the clamp Illa secured therein, as previously. In this instance the slot 25 in the strap 20 is slightly narrower than before to confine a cross bar 21 having opposite stirrup ends thereon to lock the lever bar I5a in adjusted position; the reverse bend |517 of the hooked end I5a insuring against any accidental displacement therefrom when the strap and buckle are disposed at any angular position when in use, in the same manner the angular displacement of the lever bar I5 in the previous gures was accomplished. The use and operation are exactly the same as for the previously described clamp I5, including the attendant advantages thereof.

y While obviously this last mentioned construction is somewhat more costly than the first buckle, it has been found in practice that on large bulky objects which have been secured relatively tightly it is not always convenient or possible to outwardly displace the lever bar, as shown in Fig. 5,'and which acts as an additional temporary tightening operation, to permit insertion thereof in the slot 25. Accordingly, the cross bar 21 having stirrups upon the opposite ends thereof, which is rotatably'secured in the strap pocket 25, may be rotated through the necessary angle to retain the hooked lever bar I 5a thereunder, and the marginal reverse bend I5b thereof lying on the outside of the stirrup on the end of the cross bar obviates any accidental displacement therefrom.

The inching or step by step tightening of the strap may be effected for either of the previously described structures, Where an unusual grip or purchase of the strap around the body of the object to be secured is required. This is accomplished by threading the free end of the strap through the eye of the buckle, as shown in Fig, 4, and drawing the initial slack out of the end 26 of the strap by hand. The lever bar I5 is rotated toward the looped end of the strap, with the wall I4 of the eye I2 serving asa foot and bearing against the underlying strap, until almost in a plane therewith and returned through a portion of the same angular movement and the operation is then repeated until the desired tightness is secured. In between each repetition of the angular movement of the lever bar the slack payed out the free end of the strap is taken up and easily held in the free hand of the operator before it has an opportunity to be retracted when the tightening cycle is momentarily released and repeated each time until the desired tautness is secured.

From the foregoing disclosures it will be apparent that a novel and meritorious invention has been disclosed, which accomplishes among other things the objects and advantages thereof rstenumerated, and it is to be understood that the specific forms of the invention disclosed are not to be construed in a limiting sense but merely for purposes of illustration, as many modifications will present themselves in actual practice which may come within the spirit and scope of the broad invention as defined by the following claims.

What I claim is: A

1. A buckle secured to a strap of indeterminate length having a free end and an opposite end folded upon itself. a short distance and secured at intermediate points to form spaced attachment and retainer loops therebetween, said buckle comprised of an elongated shank having arms extended transverse thereto adjacent one end which defines an eye portion and a remotely disposed arm at the opposite end extended transverse thereto including a reverse bend adjacent the marginal edge thereof, said buckle secured to said attachment loop of the strap by the eye portion thereof, with the free arm end thereof extended therebeyond in normal unlocked position, stirrup means secured to sald strap through said retained loop portion remotely disposed from said buckle by which it may be locked therein, and said buckle adapted to be bodily folded Within the range of said stirrup means secured in the retainer loop of strap with the remote transverse arm of said buckle restrained thereby in locked position such that said reverse bend in the outer end'of said remote transverse arm is prevented from being accidentally displaced therefrom.

2. A strap provided with a buckle of the class described for removing slack therefrom, said strap having a free end and an opposite end folded upon itself a short distance and stitched or riveted at intermediate points to define attachment and retainer slots therebetween, said buckle comprised of an elongated shank having transverse arms adjacent one end thereof defined as an eye, which is secured by its inner arm within the attachment slot of said strap thicknesses adjacent the outer end thereof, and the opposite end of the shank of said buckle terminated in a transverse arm extended therefrom beyond the looped end of said strap, the transverse arm of the elongated shank of said buckle normally disposedbeyond the outer end of said attachment loop in unlocked condition and the eye of said buckle arranged to receive the free end of said strap and be pivoted therearound in bight fashion when the last mentioned transverse buckle arm is rotated so as to be restrained in said retainer strap slot.

3. A strap provided with buckle of the class described for removing slack therefrom, said strap having a free end and an opposite end folded upon itself a short distance and stitched or riveted at intermediate points to define attactment and retainer slots therebetween, said y buckle comprised of an elongated shank having of said buckle terminated in a transverse arm extended therefrom beyond the looped end of said strap in unlocked condition, said eye of the buckle arranged to receive the free rend of said strap and be pivoted therearound in bight fashion when the last mentioned 'transverse buckle arm is rotated so as to be restrained in said strap slot, and said outer buckle arm forming a portion of the eye thereof serving as a snubbing means for temporarily holding slack drawn from said strap under the rotative action of said transverse buckle arm until it may be drawn out the free end of the strap and the arm restrained in rsaid. strap slot in locked position.

4. A strap buckle having transversely extending arms defining an eye portion and an elongated shank With a transverse arm on the end thereof, a strap having an attaching loop and a retaining loop, the arm of the buckle intermediate the ends thereof forming a portion of the eye being secured Within said attaching loop on rthe strap, and the opposite free end of the strapthreaded through said eye of the buckle and the elongated shank of the buckle pivoted to form a bight loop in said strap and inserted in said retaining loop to be secured thereby in a position maintaining said bight.

5. A strap provided with a buckle of the class described for removing slack therefrom, said strap having a free endA and an opposite end folded upon itself a short distance and stitched or riveted at intermediate points to define attachment and retainer slots therebetween, said buckle comprised of an elongated shank having transverse arms adjacent one end thereof defined as an eye, all disposed in a common plane, which is secured by its inner arm Within the attachment slot of said strap thicknesses adjacent the outer end thereof, and the opposite end of the shank of said buckle terminated in a transverse arm disposed in a plane distorted from the main body thereof, extended therefrom beyond the looped'end of said strap, the

transverse arm of the elongated shank of said buckle normally disposed beyond the outer end of said attachment loop in unlocked condition, and the eye of said buckle arranged to receive the free end of said strap and be pivoted therearound in bight fashion when the last mentioned transverse buckle arm is rotated so as to be restrainedr in said retainer strap slot whereby the distortion imparted to saidarm prevents acci- I dental displacement therefrom.

JOSEPH C. CHENETTE. 

